Baker Botts L.L.P. has an antitrust defense bench with experience across litigation, investigations, and merger control, particularly in regulated sectors. Paul Cuomo co-leads the practice and plays a central role in the firm’s US defence offering, with experience in antitrust litigation and multi-jurisdictional merger reviews. Erik Koons is a core US defense litigator, regularly acting in antitrust class actions and government cases involving monopolization and price-fixing claims. James Kress focuses on defending private actions and agency investigations across industries including healthcare, energy, and manufacturing. John Taladay is a figure in cartel, merger, and litigation matters, often trusted with difficult global mandates. Christopher Wilson handles civil antitrust and IP-linked disputes, with significant trial experience in federal courts. Thomas Carter is an emerging name, increasingly visible on large class action defenses and DOJ and FTC merger reviews. All lawyers mentioned are based in Washington, DC.
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Key clients
- ALDI Inc.
- Avenue5 Residential, LLC
- Caterpillar Inc.
- CMC Materials, Inc.
- EOG Resources
- Formula One World Championship Limited
- Koninklijke Philips N.V., Philips North America LLC, Philips Taiwan, Limited and Philips do Brasil Ltda.
- Langston Patterson, Yilanan “Issa” Ouattara, Chad Maurice “CJ” Taylor, Jr., Quincy Skinner, Jr., Brayden Schager, Bernard “BJ” Harris, Jr., John “Johnny” Luetzow, Henry Stewart, Jakob Russell, and Timo Legout
- Liberty Media Corporation
- Luxx Lighting, Inc.
- Mathews Archery, Inc.
- National Association of Boards of Pharmacy
- Philips Respironics
- Retail Services & Systems, Inc. d/b/a Total Wine & More
- Safariland Corp.
- Safelite Group, Inc.
- Shenzhen Smoore Technology Co., Ltd.
- Sodexo, Inc.
- Sun Pharmaceuticals / Taro Pharmaceuticals
- Vision Service Plan (“VSP”)
Work highlights
Representing Avenue5 Residential LLC in several high-profile litigations, including an MDL proceeding pending in Tennessee, in cases involving allegations that revenue management software has enabled property managers to collude in raising rents across the United States via a hub-and-spoke conspiracy.
Represents named plaintiffs on behalf of themselves and a proposed class of similarly-situated college athletes challenging the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (“NCAA”) “four seasons” and “redshirt” eligibility rules.
Represents Safariland Corp. (“Safariland”) in connection with putative class actions filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey (D. N.J.) by several local government entities.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Christopher Wilson
Practice head
Paul C. Cuomo
Other key lawyers
Erik Koons; James Kress; John Taladay; Christopher Wilson; Thomas Carter